Kiwis coach Steve Kearney is eyeing rookie Parramatta backrower Manu Ma’u for his Test pack as Sonny Bill Williams’ international rugby league career creeps towards an end.
Just three weeks out from the May 2 Anzac Test, Kearney admitted he was unsure of Williams’ intentions of playing in the World Cup final rematch against Australia at Allianz Stadium.
The Roosters star will return to rugby union at the end of the season and the indications are he may well have played his last league international.
Kearney isn’t aware whether Williams had made himself available for the Anzac clash but will sound him out in the next week.
“He’s probably one name of 30-35 at the moment in terms of who is in and out at this stage and who we are looking for in terms of the future for the New Zealand jumper,” he said.
Williams’ World Cup experience was soured by reports that named he and Kieran Foran as players being investigated by the New Zealand Rugby League for Stilnox abuse.
A tight-lipped Kearney said no players had been stood down following the investigation but the matter had been dealt with.
“From our point of view the full stop has been put behind it and we’re moving on now,” he said.
While SBW stands among the best back-rowers in the game, the Kiwis aren’t short on options, with Kearney lavishing praise on Parramatta’s uncapped Ma’u and talking up the depth in his ranks.
Auckland product Ma’u only arrived in Sydney last year after rebuilding his life following two years in jail for a gang-related assault in 2007.
The 25-year-old – who made his NRL debut in round one this season – has been a key contributor for the rejuvenated Eels and has already been discussed by Kiwi selectors.
“He’s certainly a name down on the piece of paper,” Kearney said.
“The way he’s playing he’d have to catch the eye, he jumps out at you when he’s playing.”
While New Zealand have made a habit of upsetting Australia in big games like the 2008 World Cup final and 2010 Four Nations final, they are yet to win an Anzac Test since it became an annual event.
Kearney believed the Kangaroos had a natural advantage through Queensland’s domination of State of Origin but felt his team were improving.
“The reality is we play a side where 80 per cent of them spend a fair bit of time together in the last eight or nine years and we get one week together,” he said.
“I thought we have taken some giant strides in this game the last few years.”
Damien
Roar Guru
Probably depends on your browser. Are you on a computer or mobile ? If you're on a computer I recommend Chrome whether you use a Mac or PC. I find Chrome HEAPS better than Safari, Explorer, Firefix etc. If you're on mobile you're better off downloading the app. My iOS mobile app is AWESOME. $90/yr or $2/wk is great value (if you don't have Fox) I think for the live content and extra goodies they give. I'm not buying the sub but when I had the free trial I though it was impressive.
Damien
Roar Guru
Please..Your bias is badly clouding your judgement. You didn't happen to note when the intercepts/errors were thrown do you ? In the last 15 when OZ were ahead by 100 points and a miracle was needed !! SBW made 4 errors and 3 came in the last 15.. Anyway..check out the Stats for the final here : http://live.nrlstats.com/matches/nrl/match25611.html Check the embarrassing numbers that the Kiwi props registered. Chris Rattue the NZ journo who hates SBW more than you do even said that too bad the Kiwi forwards were too busy watching SBW put in rather than joining him..
Raugeee
Guest
On an unrelated subject. I am having trouble using the NRL website this year. It has always been excellent before. Are they trying to make people pay before they give a good service or something?
Raugeee
Guest
By well contained I guess you mean completely dominated. He's only good for shoulder charges and throwing forward passes - 2 of which were intercepted for tries in the world cup final. NZ will be better off without him in the ANZAC test. They lost by 20 without him last year and then by 30 with him. BTW - Manu Vatuvai was the only Kiwi to show any guts in that final. OZ by 25pts this time around.
Damien
Roar Guru
His 2012 season with the Chiefs saw him as the first choice 12 for the All Blacks. In 2013 he won the NRL title with the Roosters and then won the Roosters Player of the Year award...If you consider that an ordinary season, I'd hate to think what your requirements are just to have a decent season..
Damien
Roar Guru
Haha..Won't dig deep for his country. Nice one Raugeee. Against England SBW was the one who dug the deepest to get the win. Leading the forwards from the front, double hit ups in the set of six that led to the final penalty that won the games for the Kiwis. All the forwards were buggered and SBW had already 'done' his hit up. No one else was putting their hand up so who digs deep to take a second hit up and cop a nice high shot from George Burgess ? Your good mate. Against Oz, he was well contained but guess who was the best Kiwi player that game. Your good mate. He didn't shine in the final but compare how every other Kiwi played and you'll see why the score was cringe worthy..
Cadfael
Roar Guru
He hasn't looked the good for quite a while. he played well in rugby's Super 15 but was only used as sub during the 2011 RWC. I think his season and a half in league so far has been ordinary
Raugeee
Guest
It's no surprise that SBW will not take an opportunity to test himself against top company. He looked absolutely second rate last time around. He lacks ticker and won't dig deep for his country.